Lee Albert Pattillo

Lee Albert Pattillo was born on March 7, 1942, to Mary Alice Phipps Pattillo and Lemuel Albert Pattillo in Shreveport, LA.  He died on February 23, 2021, at the age of 78 from complications of pancreatic cancer diagnosed six months previously.  He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Karen Copenhaver Pattillo, of Brownsville and South Padre Island, TX.   Survivors include his daughter Nancy Lee Pattillo Mance (Howard) and their two children, Joanna Lee and Kyle Daniel, his daughter Pamela Dianne Pattillo Simons, (Travis), and his two daughters, Kristina, and Brooke.  Other survivors include Lee’s only sibling, Dianne Fulton (Celina, TX), his sisters-in-law, Cindy Copenhaver (Brownsville), Dana C. Roberts (Austin), Cary C. Montalvo (Sammy) Arlington, TX, and Laurie C. Wells (Lyle) McKinney, TX and a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

     Graduating from Byrd High School in Shreveport in 1960, he then attended Louisiana Tech earning a degree in Chemical Engineering.  He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, remaining friends and attending reunions through the years.  He worked for Mobile Oil, Fish Engineering, and Brown & Root as a project manager building offshore platforms and onshore refineries before joining his father-in-law, Kent Copenhaver, in the coin operated laundry business in the Rio Grande Valley in 1988. He sold his laundry business in 1999 and retired to live at the island full time.

      He was a man of integrity, faithful and loyal, supportive, responsible, intelligent, and fun loving. He had many interests: history, reading, cooking, politics, travel, camping, watersports, the beach and above all, family life.  His favorite time of the year was the week of July 4^th when the Copenhaver Family would gather at the island for night fishing, fish fry, boating, tubing, wave-runner fun, Kubb on the beach, and fireworks over the Laguna Madre Bay all served with Lee’s big smile and a dish of his famous homemade ice cream.  The July week at South Padre was followed each year by the Phipps Family Reunion in Milam County.  Lee was instrumental in putting together its 100th reunion which was celebrated in 2019.  

     Lee made his confession of faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of 12 at Richmond Plaza Baptist Church in Houston, TX, which his parents helped to establish.   He is being welcomed into the arms of his Savior and the many relatives and friends who went before him. We wish him the most glorious of all reunions.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, May 1, at 5:30 pm, at Chapel By the Sea on South Padre Island.  A reception following the service will be held until 8 pm. at a location to be announced at the service.  Please dress casual for warm weather.   Also, be aware of bridge traffic.

     Lee was proud and supportive of Nancy and Howard in their efforts to establish and develop Camp RIO at Lula Sams, an outdoor educational camp associated with the IDEA School District. Each year hundreds of students have an opportunity to grow in their love of outdoor activities and learn to respect and conserve our beautiful land. Donations can be made in his name to support Summer Camp for Kids by mailing a check to Camp Rio, 280 Fish Hatchery Rd, Brownsville, TX 78520, or donate online at www.camprio.org/donate-1.